Want a Caribbean getaway but don’t want to bust the budget? Luckily, Galveston offers some of the cheapest cruises in the nation.

With several cruise lines competing, a “black eye” from recent cruise mishaps, and the addition of the Bayport Terminal nearby, the incentive to offer low fares has never been greater.

Below, we’ve rounded up Galveston’s lowest fares for the coming months. Keep in mind that just like airlines, these prices will fluctuate. If you want to learn tips and techniques to book the cheapest fare possible, be sure to check out our cruise buying guide here.

As a rule of thumb, Carnival will usually have the cheapest rates of all the cruise lines. You can keep a close eye on their fares by using their website here. Also, the lowest “per day” fares usually coincide with shorter trips. So look for 4-5 day cruises if you want to save some money.

We’ve listed the lowest fares we found below. The costs are per person, based on an interior cabin. Upgrades and taxes will add more to the cost.

Cruise Length: 5 days
Date: January 18, 2014
Ship: Carnival Triumph
Ports: Progreso, Cozumel
Overall Cost: $279
Cost per Day: $56

Cruise Length: 5 days
Date: January 13, 2014
Ship: Carnival Triumph
Ports: Progreso, Cozumel
Overall Cost: $279
Cost per Day: $56

Cruise Length: 5 days
Date: February 15, 2014
Ship: Carnival Triumph
Ports: Progreso, Cozumel
Overall Cost: $289
Cost per Day: $58

Cruise Length: 7 days
Date: October 27, 2013
Ship: Carnival Magic
Ports: Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Overall Cost: $379
Cost per Day: $54

Cruise Length: 7 days
Date: April 20, 2014
Ship: Navigator of the Seas
Ports: Roatan, Belize City, Cozumel
Overall Cost: $509
Cost per Day: $73

The rivalry between California and Texas has been going for decades.

One is a bastion of natural beauty, an economic powerhouse, and home to a wonderful melting pot of culture… the other is California. (Just kidding Californians!)

But there is no doubt that the two states seem to compete for everything and that includes cruising. Well, while California is in the lead right now, it looks like Texas is likely to leapfrog its rival. Continue Reading »

Edit: Originally, we mistakenly said the poker cruise was in October 2013. It is actually being held in October 2014.

Looking to satisfy your poker fix while also taking in some of the nicest scenery in the world? Then we have good news…

Poker magazine Ante Up just announced it will have a poker cruise departing from Galveston on October 19-26, 2014 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.

Now, most people are aware of the electronic poker tables that most cruise ships offer in their casinos. That’s not the case here. Ante Up and Royal Caribbean have partnered up to offer a live, Vegas-style multi-table poker room.

In total, the poker room will be open at least 76 hours during the trip — more than three full days! There will also be classes, cash games, single-table tournaments and four tournaments (including a $350 “Main Event”).

Check out the schedule below. If you’re interested in more information, check out Ante Up’s website for all the details.

Continue Reading »

If you’re near the Port of Galveston, keep an eye out. You’re about to see something that’s you haven’t seen in months…

The Carnival Triumph.

After its oft-reported mishaps, the ship is set to sail from Galveston starting on June 13. For the past several months, the Triumph has undergone extensive repairs and updates after its several day ordeal in the Gulf of Mexico.

The big question is will people feel comfortable booking to sail aboard a ship with such a rocky past.

If Carnival’s pricing is any clue, there seems to be plenty of demand. The only real “deal” for the Carnival Triumph is a 5-day September trip from Galveston to Progreso and Cozumel. This itinerary costs just $259 for an interior room — about $52 a night.

But the rest of the ship’s departures are roughly in line with those of its sister ship, the Carnival Magic. For example, a 7-day trip to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands aboard the Magic costs $719 in mid-July, or about $102 per night. Around the same time, a 5-day trip about the Triumph is $449 — $90 a night.

We’ll have to keep an eye out to see if bigger discounts appear, but for now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Photo: lynn dombrowski

When the Disney Cruise Lines’ Magic starting sailing from the Port of Galveston in 2012, it was another feather in the port’s cap. In the span of just about a decade, Galveston had become a major cruise port, serving millions of passengers. Four different lines sailed from the island.

But in late 2012 (just a few months after beginning service), Disney announced it would not sail from Galveston starting in 2014. The company has been tight-lipped on the decision, but rumors are that the demand just wasn’t there for Disney. Considering that Disney charges considerably more than the competition, that wouldn’t be surprising.

So while the Disney Magic will return to Florida, it begs the question — will another ship take its place? Continue Reading »